Ethiopia iGuide, an online investment promotion developed in collaboration with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), was launched today.
The main objective of the platform is to promote and facilitate investment in the country and enable investors to access investment information, according to Ethiopian Investment Commission.
The web-based investment promotion tool serves as the first point of contact for domestic and international companies and business individuals interested in investing in the country.
It also highlights the various investment opportunities, provides information on the costs, laws and regulations, among others.
During the launching ceremony, Ethiopian Investment Commissioner Fitsum Arega said Ethiopia iGuide will promote what opportunities the country offers to the investment community.
He further revealed that it can be developed to serve as a match making platform for investment and sourcing opportunities as well as to fill the gap between investors from abroad and Ethiopian small and medium enterprises.
“The iGuide electronic interaction will take us further in developing from one-stop service to non-stop service,” Fitsum said.
In her video message, UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-Genreal Isabelle Durant said developing digital tools like the iGiude will help countries to exchange investment information globally and trade better.
Durant pledged that UNCTAD will continue to support Ethiopia in its endeavors.
ECA Executive Secretary Vera Songwe stated that the digital investment guide is important for Ethiopian small and medium enterprises to learn on how to do business in the global economy in the digital age and attract foreign direct investment.
A tool like the Ethiopia iGuide allows investment opportunities in the country to happen in seamless way in addition to showing where the investment exactly lies, she added.
Songwe said, “We believe that this is going to be the future of job creation for the continent because the iGuide is the window for Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.”/ENA